Chaos ensues at local tire shops when the snow belt states
get their first flurries of the season. Like an animal instinct, the first sign
of fluffy white flakes has people running to the garage, stuffing the family
hauler with dusty winter rubber and racing off to the installation shop.
Problem is, by then it’s already too late.
Winter tires should be installed well in advance of the
first snowfall. Regardless of whether they are snow tires, ice tires or winter
performance tires, all cold weather rubber is designed for more than just messy
weather. These tires feature rubber compound and tread designs that are created
to help maintain traction in colder weather even if the roads are clear and
dry.
So When is it Time for a Change?
Well there isn’t a simple answer; it depends on the type of
tire installed on your car and the brand that made them. But as a general rule,
all-season tires should be switched over when temperatures begin falling below
the 45 degree mark. At this point, all-season tires begin the ‘harden’ up as
the rubber compound they are made out of starts to lose its elasticity. The
colder the temperature gets, the less pliable a tire gets and eventually becomes
so hard it is more like a giant plastic circle than a rubber tire.
Consider the time of day you’re driving as well. While daily
highs could be well above 50 degrees, the temperature could be below 45 in
early morning and in the evening when you do your daily commute.
Tires Freeze
To understand how much grip is lost when a tire freezes,
imagine walking around on a skating rink with rubber soled winter boots and
then trying it again in a pair of tap shoes. Frozen tires also limit the amount
of sidewall flex that can lead to unpredictable tire behavior on rough or
snow-rutted roads. As well, when a tire freezes up, it’s more prone to faster
tread wear.
Those using summer tires need to switch things over even
earlier. The rubber compound in these performance orientated tires is designed
to handle extremely hot temperatures, the flip side being a higher freezing
point. Aim to change these tires over when temperatures begin to dip below 50
degrees consistently.
Mark it on Your Calendar
We understand that not everyone will be glued to a
thermometer day in and day out waiting for the day when temperatures dip low
enough to require a tire change. Many people pick a calendar date to perform a
tire swap when temperatures usually hit the changeover zone for their region.
But, installing winter tires too early when temperatures are too high can cause
the tire to overheat and be just as detrimental to both tire life and vehicle
drivability as driving on an all-season tire in the winter.
It is best to consult your local tire shop as to when they
recommend swapping over your tires. But using the general guideline of 45
degrees for all-season tires and 50 degrees for summer tires should help keep
you safe on the road and get the longest use out of your tires.
Source: Sami Haj-Assaad, Autoguide.com
